Fund 17 is a nonprofit organization that seeks to create economic opportunity in the 17 wards of New Orleans through its work with entrepreneurs and small business owners.
The organization has accomplished a lot over the last year, including launching a community business incubator to provide business owners with one-on-one consulting, micro-lending, business workshops, computers, software, a business address, affordable membership rates, and space for networking and events.
Fund 17 has also launched a new accelerator program, Be the Boss, which will highlight nine ventures at their Spring Entrepreneur Showcase on May 30.
“We started hosting the entrepreneur showcase event last year as part of our goal to provide networking opportunities to the entrepreneurs that we support,” said Antonio Alonzo, program director at Fund 17. “We’re looking for business leaders of all backgrounds to come network with the entrepreneurs in the accelerator, and hopefully find their next business partner or local vendor.”
This year’s participating startups include Box of Care, DCAP Media, Designum Technologies, La Escuelita, NOLA Massage Therapy, A Rare Jewel Apparel, Tia Nash Photography, Totally Fit Physique, and Visionary Entertainment Media Group.
“The Be the Boss Accelerator trains entrepreneurs poised to take their hustle full-time and/or expand their team to grow from being a business operator into business owner,” shared Fund 17. “For 10 weeks, entrepreneurs are trained in culture creation, role design, HR essentials, accounting for growth, standardizing systems, hiring, managing, tech tools, benefits, and payroll.”
RSVP for the Spring Entrepreneur Showcase here.